Okay true crime fans you have GOT to hear about Natalia Grace. Her story is seriously bonkers. We're talking age mysteries adoption drama abuse accusations and now a brand new Hulu movie called Good American Family diving into it all. If you're scratching your head wondering what the heck is going on buckle up because we're unpacking this crazy case.
From Ukrainian Orphan to Accusations: Who is Natalia Grace and Why is Everyone Talking About Her?
Natalia Grace is a Ukrainian-born woman with a form of dwarfism. Her story went viral after her adoptive parents the Barnetts claimed she was not a child but an adult con artist pretending to be young. They adopted her thinking she was a kid but things quickly went south. The Barnetts alleged Natalia was much older maybe even a dangerous sociopath and they even had her age legally changed to reflect this.
Cue the drama. The Barnetts said Natalia terrorized their family was violent and even tried to harm them. Natalia on the other hand says she was abused and mistreated by the Barnetts. It is a he said she said situation with a LOT of conflicting stories and very little clarity on the truth.
Hulu's 'Good American Family' Movie: Ellen Pompeo & a Fictionalized Take on a Very Real Mess
Enter Hulu with Good American Family. This new movie starring Ellen Pompeo from Grey's Anatomy fictionalizes the Natalia Grace story. Pompeo plays Kristine Barnett the adoptive mom and Mark Duplass is Michael Barnett the dad. The movie is told from different viewpoints showing you how messed up and complicated this whole thing is.
It is not trying to give you easy answers. Instead Good American Family wants you to see all sides of the story and maybe even question your own snap judgments. The movie hints at abuse from both sides and shows a family completely falling apart under pressure. If you are looking for clear heroes and villains in this movie you won't find them. It's messy and complicated just like real life.
Investigation Discovery's 'The Curious Case of Natalia Grace': Going Deeper Than Fiction
Before the Hulu movie there was another big deep dive into the Natalia Grace case. Investigation Discovery ID did a whole docuseries called The Curious Case of Natalia Grace. It has three seasons and really gets into the nitty gritty of the story. This docuseries includes interviews with Natalia the Barnetts and even the Mans family who adopted Natalia after the Barnetts.
ID's show really blew up the Natalia Grace story making it a true crime sensation. The docuseries even got a third season because things kept getting wilder and wilder. Season 3 showed Natalia accusing the Mans family of abuse after they initially seemed like her saviors! Talk about twists.
The ID docuseries is less about easy answers and more about showing the ongoing drama. It definitely leans into the sensational side of the story and keeps raising questions about who is telling the truth. If you want to go down the rabbit hole this docuseries is your starting point.
Where is Natalia Grace Now? Her Life Today and Trying to Reclaim Her Story
After all the drama the court cases the accusations and the reality TV spotlight where is Natalia Grace today? Well according to recent reports she is living in Indiana with a new family the DePauls. This family actually tried to adopt her way back in 2009 before the Barnetts even came into the picture. Life has come full circle for Natalia in some ways.
Natalia says she is trying to take control of her own life and move forward. She is working on getting her GED and wants to become a teacher. She is also learning to drive and doing normal young adult stuff. It sounds like she is trying to build a new chapter for herself after years of chaos and uncertainty.
While she is living with the DePauls they haven't legally adopted her but they describe their relationship as family. They acknowledge Natalia has a complicated past and some behavioral issues due to trauma but they seem committed to supporting her and giving her a stable home. Natalia even appeared on the cover of People magazine recently talking about reclaiming her narrative and feeling "free."
Natalia Grace Media Breakdown: Documentaries & Dramas to Dive Deeper
Want to learn more about the Natalia Grace case? Here's a quick guide to the media mentioned in this article:
- Good American Family (2025): Hulu movie starring Ellen Pompeo and Mark Duplass. A fictionalized drama based on the Natalia Grace story told from multiple perspectives. Streaming on Hulu.
- The Curious Case of Natalia Grace (ID Docuseries): Three-season documentary series on Investigation Discovery. A deep dive into the case with interviews and real footage focusing on the mystery and drama. Available on Discovery+.
Both Good American Family and The Curious Case of Natalia Grace offer different ways to explore this truly bizarre and disturbing story. Choose your own adventure and get ready for a wild ride.
The Bottom Line: Natalia Grace's Story is Still Unfolding and It is WILD
The Natalia Grace story is not simple. It's a tangled web of accusations conflicting accounts and unanswered questions. Hulu's Good American Family and ID's The Curious Case of Natalia Grace are just two ways to try and understand this case but there is no easy answer. Natalia's life is still unfolding and the real truth behind everything might always be a mystery. But one thing is for sure this story is a wild ride that will leave you with a lot to think about.